CIDG was able to locate DSWD relief goods at a warehouse
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) caught thousands of boxes of relief goods of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) being sold illegally.
The social welfare department is focused on “policy and programs designed to uplift and empower women in need, including children, among other target stakeholders.”
This department is mainly tasked with watching the welfare of Filipinos, especially during disasters and calamities. It is known to be the department catering to the less fortunate and disadvantaged sector.
During disasters and calamities, it is mainly one of the departments that immediately takes action. However, based on the report from ABS-CBN, the relief goods for victims of calamities and disasters from the DSWD were not given, and worse, these are being sold illegally.
The relief goods are part of the country’s budget for the people. At a warehouse, the 6,000 pieces of relief goods boxes were hoarded, and it was estimated that these were worth P15 million. Reportedly, this was being sold, which was an illegal thing to do.
It was said that DSWD denied that the department is connected to the warehouse. The agency also condemned the use of its name. Authorities emphasized that relief goods are free and are not for sale.
CIDG showed what’s inside the plastic containers with the DSWD label. Each box contained towels, slippers, clothes for men and women, as well as baby clothes. The price of each box was P2,500.
After this exposition, CIDG’s OIC PLTCOL. John Guiagui said that this would have a negative implication for the people, especially for the victims of the recent earthquake in Cebu, because it is a known fact that the relief goods are free. “Syempre, ang backlash niyan sa gobyerno,” Guiagui said.